ATHLETIC INJURY AND SELF DIMINUTION

A review of the literature examining the effects of athletic injury on persona have suggested a deleterious effect. Specifically, results in dicated that following traumatic injury, athletes suffer a diminution of affect and feelings of self-worth. Because studies published in thi s area have been post-injury in design, the present study was fashione d to examine changes from baseline values in the self-concept of unive rsity varsity football players following a disabling injury. There wer e 29 athletes in the subject pool. Sixteen subjects were severly injur ed during the season. Measures were taken on the first day of fall pra ctice and at the end of the season. Injured atheletes were assessed ea ch week while they were unable to participate in practice. Analysis re vealed a significant decrease in generalized self-concept following at hletic injury (p < 0.001) which persisted through the course of treatm ent. Suggestions for continued research and treatment are proffered.